Picking Hutchens
Posted by: Jubal | 06/19/2008 1:00 PM
Frank Mickadeit has been writing a fascinating series of columns -- here and here and a third part tomorrow -- on the behind-the-scenes political machinations leading to the 3-2 Board of Supes vote appointing Hutchens as Sheriff.
Clearly politics played a role. No surprise there, just ironic since we could have dispensed with he 5-month charade of a national search based solely on merit and qualifications and had an appointed Sheriff several months ago.
Frank's columns also raised a question in my mind: Was Frank aware of all these machinations taking place during the selection process? If so, why are we just finding out now?
Clearly politics played a role. No surprise there, just ironic since we could have dispensed with he 5-month charade of a national search based solely on merit and qualifications and had an appointed Sheriff several months ago.
Frank's columns also raised a question in my mind: Was Frank aware of all these machinations taking place during the selection process? If so, why are we just finding out now?
Mr. Ayer registered as a Republican to be electable in an interim election with no incumbents. He did...
Let’s start with the fundamental question of, “is it not the cornerstone to democracy the right for all to advocate for the candidate of their choice? Setting aside for a moment the questionable behavior of a few, is the simple act of advocating somehow underhanded and did not supporters for both candidates engage in the same process? Nobody criticized Chief Walters for employing the same consultant that ran three of Carona’s campaigns, and the campaigns of two of the five supervisors – and they shouldn’t – but the mere fact he had a campaign consultant begs that the Chief was serious about being selected as the next sheriff. Why shouldn’t the other candidates exercise that same right?
Does the mere fact that her key supporters didn’t charge for services rendered, somehow lessen the honor of participating in the political process?
If one were to adopt that view universally, efforts on behalf of Chief Walters could be characterized as “behind the scenes political machinations” as well. I suppose any telephone conversation or meeting not held in public could be described similarly.
But I submit to you, simple participation in the political process shouldn’t result in a “destroy the other side at any cost” mentality. And Red County, which clearly is a house of some very bright people, can take a leadership role of encouraging even more honest political debate, and more importantly, hold elected officials to a higher standard of integrity and performance.
What's there to know? Frank's job is to promote Frank.
I guess now we know that Frank made his "hutchens" prediction based on insider information, not intuition as he would have us believe. If i were one of those fools who bet him, I'd ask for my money back
Read Mickadeit's column today. he knew all this was happening, yet didn't say a word until after the fact, probably because (his claims to the contrary) he didn't want to hurt Hutchens chances are the perception of a grass-roots upswell for her.
Very disappointing. Mickadeit was a player pretending to be an observer.